Emma: And are all our favorite guys ready for fun in the sun? ;)
*Micky holds up a bottle of tanning lotion.*
(Mike holds up his sunglasses.)
(Peter holds up a big beach umbrella.)
*Lauren puts on her sunglasses and holds up her SPF 30 sunblock.*
Emma: (Shakes her head as she applies her SPF 8 sunblock) Um, Peter, I don't think we're going to need that huge thing on the boards. (Sighs) Mike, you will need your glasses, though. And lose the tie-and-shirt look. It's the only clothing on the boardwalk that will get funny looks. (Emma hands Mike the sunblock, humming her favorite ABBA song, "Fernando.")
*Micky snickers.*
*Lauren unfolds her map of Wildwood, tracing a finger along the streets.*
Emma: (Sighs) You're all going to have to imagine beach gear. There's no shade on the boards, and Micky, your poncho will be waaaaayyyy too hot, not to mention those long-sleeved paisley shirts Peter and Dave are big on. Pete, you can keep your beads. They sell stuff like that all over the boardwalk.
(Peter's big umbrella shrinks into a small sun parasol.)
Davy: Not a problem, luv! (Immediately takes off his nehru jacket)
Micky: *Snaps his fingers; his clothes change to an orange t-shirt and carpenter's shorts* I'm all set. *slips his own sunglasses on*
Davy: (He now carries a pale blue shirt and wears his short red swim trunks) Lead me to all those lovely ladies in bikinis, mates! ;)
Peter: (Clothing turns into a blue Hawaiian floral shirt and blue swim trunks with a floppy straw hat, though he is still wearing his ever-present beads) I'm ready, too!
Lauren: *nods approval* Nice outfit, Pete!
Emma: (Grins) Pete, you look great!
Peter: (Blushes) Aw, thanks! My parents used to take me to Seaside Heights in the summer when I was little, and we dressed like this then, except for my beads.
Mike: Well, all right... (He's now wearing dark-blue swim trunks with a short-sleeved white Oxford shirt, his dark blue jacket, and his sunglasses)
Emma: (Wears a loose white tank top with red polka-dot and flower print, red cotton shorts, and blue flip-flops with jelly straps; carries her big fringed, multi-colored, Indian-style purse) I know where to start, too. Two blocks from my real apartment, next to the Convention Center. That's really where all the fun stuff begins.
*Lauren has a light purple t-shirt and jean shorts matched with a pair of Converses and a baseball cap*
Emma: (Holds up an orange book) And I even have tickets for the rides! I have a few leftover from the ones I bought with birthday money two years ago, and I found a book someone dropped outside the Beachwood Hotel next door to my apartment on Memorial Day Weekend.
Mike: (Reads over Lauren's shoulder) Good, because from what I've read, tickets and bracelets for the parks ain't cheap.
Micky: I heard the magic word: RIDES!
Emma: (Big grin) Mickster, Wildwood has more rides than Disneyland! There's big roller coasters, little roller coasters, merry-go-rounds, go-karts, bumper cars, dark rides, and a ferris wheel that's so big, Dad and his fellow fishermen use it as a beacon to know when they're nearing Wildwood!
Micky: *Eyes get wide* So many rides, so little time...
Peter: Wow! We'll never ride them all!
Lauren: Maybe not, but we'll go down trying!
Emma: We won't have to. A lot of the rides are kiddie stuff, flying elephants and little boats and trains and things. We should have time to ride most of the big stuff.
Micky: So, what's up first?
Emma: Well, first, we have to get there. (Closes her eyes) Everyone close their eyes and think "Wildwood Boardwalk and Montgomery Avenue!" (As she closes her eyes) You'll know you're there when you see a huge expanse of beach to the east and a park and a couple of t-shirt shops and restaurants to the west. (Grins) And this way, we don't have to worry about where to park!
Lauren: The best mode of transportation!
(The six close their eyes and once again, are surrounded by blue light. When the light subsides, they stand at the location Emma described, park, beach, boardwalk and all.)
Mike: Whoa...
Peter: Groovy!
Micky: *Jumps up and down* I'm in Heaven!!!
Lauren: Cool!
Davy: (Sees two pretty girls in string bikinis walk past) Yeah, heaven... (starts to go after them)
Emma: (Grins) Lady and gentlemen, welcome to my home.
Peter: You live on the boardwalk?
Lauren: And we're losing Davy already... *points after him*
Mike: (Grabs Davy by the shoulder) Cool it, Casanova. We have to figure out where we're goin' first.
Peter: Wow, look at the beach! (Runs to the beach side of the boardwalk and leans over the railing) It's so big! I've never seen a beach that big! It's like a big desert with a little blue at the end!
Davy: Look at those waves!
*Micky closes his eyes*
Mike: (Checks his watch) We seem to have landed somewhere around two o'clock.
Emma: (Nods) Good. We'll get to ride all the rides with no lines.
Lauren: *Sees what Micky's doing* Uh oh...
Micky: *A surfboard appears under his arm* Surf's up!
Mike: (Grabs Micky's arm) Micky, we're here for the rides, not the beach!
Micky: Wha...not even one little wave?
Emma: (Sighs) Maybe later. (Points to the outline of a huge wooden roller coaster on the horizon, flanked by other rides, including a big pair of steel cables and a series of gondola-type crafts) Don't you want to ride the Great White and play all the games?
Micky: *Nods his head, mesmerized; the surfboard disappears* Yes...
Mike: (Even he's impressed) Wow, that thing's huge!
Emma: (Smirks) You ought to ride it sometime. My brother got me on there once. (Grins) Don't believe him when he says I threatened to kill him five times on that ride. I only threatened him twice.
Lauren: Now that's my kinda ride!
Lauren: And I promise I won't get sick, either! *Gazes longingly at it*
Mike: (Waves his arms in the direction of the coaster) Well, move 'em out, troops!
(The group walks down the boardwalk, past small t-shirt shops and gift shops and a little chapel. Peter points to a little store called "The Fudge Kitchen" and a young girl with a Russian accent who stands outside with a tray full of brown and tan lumps.)
Peter: Oooh look, candy!
Davy: (Eyeing the girl, who eyes him back) Yum, yeah, something sweet.
Micky: The candy, Dave... *Nudges him*
Mike: Aren't we going to ride the coaster?
Lauren: Yes!
Emma: (Rolls her eyes) I don't think a little peek would hurt...
Peter: Yeah! (Grabs Mike's arm and drags him to the girl)
*Micky and Lauren follow.*
Girl: (In a heavy Russian accent) Try some fudge? (To Peter, as he picks a piece of the brown) We have a special today. If you buy two pounds of our creamy fudge, you get a free box of salt-water taffy.
Peter: (Makes a face) Why would I want to eat something made of salt water?
Girl: (Shakes her head) It is candy. It is not really salt water.
*Lauren slaps her forehead.*
Emma: (Sighs and takes a tan lump) Oh, brother. They've used that same sales pitch since I was a kid.
Mike: (Picking at the lumps) What is this?
Girl: Chocolate and vanilla fudge. Some have nuts.
Micky: *Grabs a brown lump and pops it in his mouth* I like this!
Emma: (Grins and walks in the store) The Fudge Kitchen makes the best!
Mike: (Finally picks a brown lump) Not bad...
Lauren: *Jabbing a thumb at Micky* Maybe we shouldn't have let him this close to the store.
Mike: (Grins and swallows) Good point.
*Micky grabs Lauren's hand and drags her through the store.*
Davy: (Leans on the window) So, luv, when are you getting off of work?
Emma: (Sighs and joins Micky and Lauren in the small store. Mike and Peter follow. The store is barely more than a square, but two of four walls are filled with all kinds of candy, from strange novelties to the afore-mentioned pastel taffys. One wall is blocked off; a young man mixes something in a huge copper kettle there. The fourth wall is entirely given over to a counter where a teenager and a middle-aged woman fill trays with all kinds of chocolates, jellies, chocolate-covered fruit, and every flavor of fudge imaginable.
Peter: (Leans over the novelties) Rock candy lollypops, coconut strips, fruit sticks, taffy, nut brittle, sugar-free candies...this place is groovy!
Micky: *loading his arms up* Are there any hand baskets?
Middle-Aged Woman: (Smiles) I'm afraid not, son, but I'll take your order over here. (Points to a small cash register and weight machine.)
Teenager: (Giggles) Man, he's hungry!
Micky: *Unloads what he has* This is just my first trip around. There'll be more.
Mike: (Frowns as he looks over the taffy) Cool it, Mick. There's the whole boardwalk to explore. Don't spend all your money on candy.
Micky: *Grins* Who said it was my money?
Lauren: Aw Mick, you're gonna bankrupt me!
Emma: (Picks up a small tray of jellied fruit slices) Oooh, these are my favorites! (Looks at the price on the back) And they're a good price, too!
Peter: (Still looking over the novelties) Everything's so groovy, I can't decide!
Mike: (Goes to the counter with a box of salt-water taffy) Peter, I'll split my box of taffy with you. I'm not going to be able to eat all of this by myself!
Lauren: *Still following Micky; picks up a box of fudge* Oooh, raspberry! *hurries to catch up with Micky*
Emma: (Joins the others at the counter) I definitely want the jellies!
Middle-Aged Woman: (To Micky, after ringing up his order) That comes to seventy-one thirty-nine, son.
Lauren: *Groans, pulls out her wallet* I'm gonna get you, Mick.
Mike: (Groans) Micky!
Emma: (Shakes her head) Oh, good grief.
Peter: How are we going to carry all that on the roller coaster?
Mike: Micky, you're sharing that with Dave. You know that.
(Dave can be seen chatting animatedly with the Russian girl serving the fudge outside.)
Micky: *shrugs* I'm a growing boy, don'tcha know? And Dave could use a little help. *smirks*
Mike: You keep eating like that, you'll get as big as a house and will eat Lauren into the poorhouse.
*Lauren hands over the money*
Emma: Mick, it wouldn't kill you to put some of it back.
Micky: Yes, it would! I couldn't possibly decide what to put back!
Peter: And you'll be all sticky, too!
Lauren: *Mutters* Melodramatic fool...
Emma: (Sees the Russian girl slap Dave as the woman rings up her and Mike's orders) Um, I think it's time we were on our way.
Micky: *Accepts his bags of goodies* All set! *smiles*
(The group gets outside in time to see Dave reeling back into a rack of t-shirts next door)
Mike: (He and Micky go to help a woozy Davy up) What the heck did you say to her?
Micky: Gee, Davy, we thought you knew how to handle women.
Davy: I told her she was gorgeous, divoone, beautiful...
Lauren: She slugged you for that?
Peter: It must mean something different in her language.
Emma: She's Russian. They take these things differently.
Davy: (Rubs the side of his chin) Now you tell me...
Mike: (Sees a big guy coming toward Davy) Um, I think we'd better get out of here...
Lauren: *Sees how big the guy is* Oh, goodness...
Micky: Or she has a boyfriend!
Emma: (Grins) I know a great hiding spot! (Grabs Mike and pulls him along. The others follow. She ducks into a tan stucco store with a blue roof between a little cafe and a big diner with checked floors. They are across from a group of concessions and water-gun games. Emma pushes Mike and Davy down behind several tall stacks of books in front of the window as the big man runs past)
Mike: (Pops his head up first) Whew! I think we lost them!
Peter: (Is the next up) Hey, I think we're in a book store!
Micky: *Looks up next* Wonder what they've got for physics books?
Emma: (Grin just gets bigger) Welcome to Atlantic Bookstore, the best discount chain bookstore store in the entire South Jersey area.
(The large square room is filled with all kinds of books, as well as a few cassettes and CDs of old-time radio shows and audio books. A shelf filled with magazines lines half of one wall. Anothter wall is filled with mystery and romance paperbacks, and the shelves in the center are non-fiction. A raised section in the back is all children's and young adult books.)
Emma: (Winks at Lauren) You KNEW I was going to find an excuse to get you guys in here! ;)
Lauren: Of course! *grins*
(The group breaks apart and starts shuffling through the shelves. Peter wanders to the kids' books in the back. Mike and Emma both head to the performing arts, but Mike grabs guitar sheet music while Emma reads a book of CD listings. Davy riffles through the magazines.)
Peter: Oh, groovy! (Holds up a "Shrek 2" book) I like this story about the ogre who's nice and the donkey!
*Micky grabs Lauren's hand and begins to wander, searching through shelves upon shelves for something of interest.*
Mike: (Looks at the sheet music and grins a little) Wow, half-off!
*Lauren manages to break away from Micky momentarily and heads over to the magazines; picks up an issue of "Vintage Drummer" & smirks at the current picture of Micky on it & puts it back; returns to Micky still smirking.*
Emma: (Grins widely) Now you know why I like this place! (Puts down the book and moves across the store to look at the stacks of old-time radio CDs)
Micky: *gives Lauren an odd look* What're you smirking about?
Lauren: *shakes her head, still smirking* Nothing.
Davy: (Looks up from "Maxim") Yeah, luv! Could we be in on the joke for once?
Lauren: Oh, all right. *Retrieves the magazine again; returns and shows it off.*
Mike: (Joins Emma, the sheet music still under his arm) Oh, I remember hearing some of these shows when I was a little kid. (Holds up one CD) Here's "Gunsmoke." That was a really groovy show. Sheriff Dillon was great.
Emma: (Picks up another CD and squeals) Oooh, I love Jack Benny!
Micky: Now where the heck did you find that magazine, babe?
Lauren: On the shelf, where else? *Winks*
Emma: (Looks up) Her imagination. The real Atlantic Bookstore doesn't carry it.
Lauren: I wondered why there was only one issue.
Peter: (Comes down the raised children's section) I found some really groovy picture books! (Holds up the "Shrek 2" picture book) This is really funny! It's about two ogres who are married, only her parents don't like him, so they hire a cat to kill him, but the cat ends up being his friend...
Emma: Peter, no summary, please. I'll wait for it to come out on video.
Mike: (He and Emma pay for their purchases) Everyone ready?
Davy: (Puts "Maxim" down and shrugs) Didn't really see much that interested me.
Emma: (Smirks) Yeah, because they don't have an "adult content" section.
Micky: *Shrugs* Nothing I haven't read already.
Lauren: And I've already got that magazine.
Emma: Well, (nods at the girl at the counter, who stares rather dazedly at them) thanks for everything, miss! (Walks out and across the way to the concessions. Beyond a Koher Brothers ice cream stand and several water gun games are a few ticket booths and several rides, including a "Water Tag" game with people shooting big toy boats in a pool surrounded by baseball guns and fencing. Just visible beyond the smaller attractions are a small steel roller coaster and a huge wooden coaster.)
Lauren: Coasters!! *Points*
Emma: (Grins at their expressions) There's another reason I stopped in Atlantic Bookstore. It just happens to be right across from Wild Wheels.
Mike: Wow, man...
Micky: *munching on candy* Can we imagine our purchases back to the pad so we can get on the rides?
Emma: I was about to suggest the same thing, Micky.
Micky: Great minds think alike *Waggles his eyebrows*
Emma: Well, minds think alike, anyway.
*Micky sticks his tongue out.*
Mike: Yeah, I don't think this is the best place to start practicin' this stuff. (Holds up the book of guitar sheet music he bought)
Emma: (Closes her eyes; her candy remains, but her book is gone) I can put the candy in my purse. (Does so)
(Mike and Peter do the same, only they imagine their candy gone as well. Peter keeps a handful of taffys and munches on them)
Micky: Good. *Closes his eyes; his bags disappear* Much better! *Holds one box of chocolates and continuously pops them in his mouth.*
Davy: Can we go now? (Perks up) Hey, is that an Irish accent I hear?
Lauren: Davy! Oh, man...
Emma: (Raises her eyebrows and follows Davy to the water gun game) Wow, the Irish are here already?
Micky: I say we dunk the Englishman.
Mike: (Nods as the others join Davy at the game) I'm agreein' with you on that, Mick. He's gonna chase every faintly attractive female on the boardwalk. I just know it.
Micky: *hands his bos off to Lauren; rubs his hands together* Good. Let's do it quick, then.
Water Gun Girl: (An attractive redhead is barking for the game in a lovely Irish accent) Come and play me greatest game on the boardwalk! (Holds up a lavender stuffed bear with two lollipops on its tummy) Just this afternoon, you win once, you have pick of the house! Come one, come all! (Grins at Davy) You interested in playin', laddie?
Davy: (Gazes into her green eyes) I'd play anything with eyes those, luv!
Water Gun Girl: (Puts out her hand as Davy leans over to gaze into her eyes some more) Well, that will be two dollars for the game, laddie. (Nods at the others) Would the rest of your friends like to join in the fun? (Nods at Micky) You can win a Care Bear for your girlfriend, Curlylocks!
Mike: (Groans) Two dollars? For a game?
Micky: Yeah, why not?
Peter: (Finishes his taffy; sits down next to Davy and hands her the two bucks) I'll play! I want to win that funny-looking sponge-thing, though. I like his smile.
Emma: (Sits down) The water gun games are the only ones I'm even close to being any good at. (Forks over two dollars)
*Micky finally fishes out two crumpled dollars.*
Davy: I'll win you that pretty lavender bear, luv! (Hands her the two dollars.)
Lauren: I'm gonna watch. This should be good.
Mike: (Steps back and crosses his arms) Me, too. I think the view will be safer from back here.
Girl: Ok, lady and gentlemen, aim your guns at the target (indicates thirteen small orange circles under thirteen blue creatures with lots of arms on thirteen platforms) and (a bell rings) everyone squirt!
(The four do. Davy doesn't do very well, as he's more interested in watching the girl than his target. Micky and Peter are neck-and-neck, but it's Peter whose blue creature stops first.)
Girl: (As a loud bell sounds) And number five is the winner, ladies and gentlemen!
Peter: (City-lighting grin; claps his hands) I won! Yeah! I won!
Micky: I was so close!
Lauren: It's okay, Mick. How about I win you something?
Emma: (Shrugs) I have a ton of stuffed animals. (Smiles at Peter) You deserved this one, Pete. Micky's not easy to beat.
(The others join Mike at the side of the ticket booth. Peter and Davy catch up last.)
Peter: (Holds up his Sponge-Bob Squarepants - the large yellow sponge sports a grin as wide as Peter's and a pirate hat) He's kinda weird, but I like him! I like his smile! It's so sweet!
Emma: (Giggles) Remind me to show you that cartoon sometime, Peter. That sponge reminds me a lot of you sometimes.
Lauren: That was some mighty fine shootin', Peter. *smiles*
Mike: (Lightly punches Peter) Yeah, Pete! Not bad for someone who doesn't like guns!
Davy: (Frowns) Tessie said she couldn't go out tonight. She works a second job at Super Fresh.
Micky: *regains his box of chocolates and continues eating* Guess you'll have to move onto the next booth then, huh, Dave?
Emma: (Grins) Yeah, Dave, there's women all over the boardwalk!
Lauren: And he may just meet every single one of them. *grins*
Mike: (Grins a little) Wouldn't surprise me.
Peter: (Looks around) Well, where's that big wooden roller coaster?
Micky: Yeah! *Finishes the box of chocolates.*
Emma: Follow me. (Leads the others to the back of the pier, alongside a go-kart track and a rather rickety-looking maze. They join a somewhat long line up and around a long series of stairs. Emma points at Peter) Um, Peter, you'd better wish Sponge-Bob back at the pad. Stuffed animals don't take roller coasters well.
Peter: Awww! (Sighs and closes his eyes; the big yellow square disappears) He was getting kinda scared looking at that big coaster, anyway!
*Lauren and Micky exchange looks.*
Emma: And Mike, Micky and Lauren, secure your sunglasses. This thing goes FAST!
Micky: No problem! I'll take 'em off before we get going.
Lauren: Think I'll do the same thing.
(Mike sticks his glasses in his jacket as Emma takes out her bun, letting her wavy brown hair spill over her shoulders)
Emma: It'll just come out if I leave it. I almost lost my scrunchie when Keefe and I were on this thing.
Lauren: *checks her ponytail* All secure and ready to go!
Mike: (Runs his hands through Emma's hair as they walk behind several people standing behind a turnstile) Why don't you leave it down more often, darlin'? It looks nice this way.
Emma: It's too thick and it gets in my face.
Lauren: *Smirks* I know what she's talking about.
Micky: I've wondered what you'd look like with your hair down.
Lauren: Don't get ideas, Micky.
Irish Boy: (An young Irish teenager shuffles them into three cars - Mike and Emma in the first one, Davy and Peter in the second, and Micky and Lauren in the third. He lowers bars over everyone.) 'old on, blokes! The Great White's a fast one, and a twisty one! Don't be stickin' your hands out of the car, and wait until she comes to a complete stop to get out.
*Micky and Lauren remove their sunglasses, securing them in their pockets.*
Davy: (Raises his eyebrows) What's with all the Irish kids 'ere? I might as well be in bloomin' Dublin!
Peter: (As the Great White roars ahead) Well, I saw Irish Potatoes in the Fudge Kitchen. Maybe they came for those.
Emma: (As it goes fast under a dark tunnel) The Irish kids are going to college in the cities here, Davy. (Screams) THIS IS HOW THEY EARN MONEY!!!!!!!
(The group screams and squeaks as the Great White rises and falls, twists and turns and dips.)
*Lauren and Micky are trying to out do each other's screaming.*
Emma: MIIIIKKKEEE, THIS IS CRAAAAZZZY!!!!
Mike: YOU'RE TELLIN' MEEEEE!!!
Peter: (As the Great White goes around another turn) I WISH I HADN'T EATEN ALL THOSE SALT-WATER CANDIES!!!!
Micky: OH, PETE, NO!!! *Groans*
Davy: WAIT UNTIL WE'RE OFF THE BLOODY ROLLER COASTER, MATE!!!
Peter: (Whimpers) Ok.
Lauren: BE KIND TO THOSE BEHIND YOU!
Mike: (The Great White slows at the top of a dip, then turns around to take in the view) Peter, we'll get you somethin' to drink as soon...(the Great White goes down the huge dip and under another tunnel)...AS WE GET OFF THIS THING!!!! (Emma shrieks and grabs Mike's arm)
*Micky shrieks and latches onto Lauren, smirking.*
(The group finally pulls back into the stand and everyone gets off, including a shaky-looking Peter.)
Emma: (Sits down on a bench outside the Great White) You ok, Peter? I knew we should have waited to chow down on candy!
Micky: Come on, Big Peter. *Helps Peter sit*
Peter: (Head between his knees) Yeah, I'm ok. (Gives the group a shaky grin) Just ate a few too many taffys, that's all.
Micky: Good. *puts a hand on Peter's shoulder*
Mike: (He and Davy return with a big glass of lemonade) Man, this thing cost me two dollars!
Davy: (Hands Peter the lemonade) 'Ere you go, mate.
Peter: (Lifts his head and sips the lemonade) Ok. I'm feeling a little better now.
Emma: Good, because we have a bit of a walk ahead of us. (Points behind them. More long beach, this time not empty, boardwalk, and another pier are quite visible.) There's Mariner's Landing, the home of the Giant Ferris Wheel, the Sea Serpent, the double-decker merry-go-round, and the Musik Express, among other things, and there's more restaurants and candy stores and whatnot on the way, along with a small mall and more games.
Davy: You up for walking, Petah?
Peter: (Slurping his lemonade) I think so.
Lauren: Where should we start?
Emma: Well, maybe we'd better go straight to Mariner's. Most of what's along this stretch is more of the same, except for the Boardwalk Mall and a couple of arcades.
Davy: What about 'ere?
Micky: Arcades, games, rides...Em, you're making my head spin!
Emma: (Shrugs) The Great White is really the only major attraction at Wild Wheels. (Grins at Micky) I do this every other night in the summer.
Lauren: I myself am deeply jealous. *Winks*
Emma: Now you know one of the reasons Wildwood means so much to me! I've been coming here almost every summer since I can remember. It has such a unique character, and I really wish people wouldn't keep trying to take that away. (Clenches her fists)
Mike: (Puts his hands on Emma's shoulders) Cool it, Em. This may not be the best place to start in on hotels bein' demolished.
Lauren: *Nods* Let's just enjoy ourselves while we can.
Emma: (Sighs as they walk off the pier, Peter still a little shaky) I know, but I hate what they're doing! Yeah, they wouldn't build condos on the boards, but they've more or less abandoned Hunt's and Sportsland, and there's still some great rides on Hunt's! (Sighs) That old Keystone Cops ride was awesome...
Davy: Hunt's? Sportsland?
Emma: (Shrugs) Two of the older piers that are now only homes to concessions and go-kart tracks. There's another one across from Midway's. Hunt's still has a great dark ride based around the Keystone Cops, but no one's used that part of the pier for years. I'll bet the old Log Flume ride's rotted away, and they already got rid of the Kamakazi. That was my Mom's favorite ride for years. (Smirks at Micky) My mother is a roller coaster fiend. She was the one who took me on MY first coaster at Morey's - I'll show you it when we get down there, in fact.
Micky: No log flume? *Sniffles* Okay, that makes up for it.
Mike: (To himself) Now I know where the Redmer spunk comes from...
Emma: There's a log flume at Morey's, Mick. It's one of their premier rides, and in fact, was one of their first rides.
Micky: *smiles* That's better.
Emma: (Giggles, remembering) Mom was sooooo mad when she was pregnant with Anny and Keefe! They wouldn't let her ride the coasters, and it drove her nuts!
Lauren: I can imagine!
Mike: (Points) What's with the stadium seats over there? (Indicates stadium-style seats about five feet from the boardwalk)
Emma: That's where people watch concerts and events and the Fourth of July fireworks. (Grins at Mike) They hold a big classic car show here every May and September, and a big motorcycle show, too, and a monster car show in October.
Mike: (Perks up) Classic cars? Motorcycles?
Micky: We'll have to come back!
Peter: M...monster cars? (Ducks behind Mike) Do they have big teeth?
Emma: (Laughs) No, Peter. "Monster" cars are really big trucks with huge wheels. They race each other here in a big show.
Micky: Yeah, really big trucks that jump over normal-sized cars and sometimes crush them! *Sighs*
*Lauren smacks Micky's arm; he shrugs.*
Emma: Dad used to take Keefe to the monster car show every year.
Davy: (As they pass four tall, slender girls chattering in what sounds like Polish or Russian) Umm, I think I just saw something a bit more spectacular...
Peter: (Points at a small stage surrounded by an obviously painted beach scene with "Wildwood, NJ" in red lettering) Hey, look, a bandstand!
Emma: (Shakes her head) No, it's a stage. Dance groups come every Friday night in the summer and perform there. I watch them from time to time when I'm off.
Lauren: You wouldn't suppose they'd have need for a band, do you?
Emma: Not at that stage, but there's bars and night clubs all over the Wildwoods, and there's a real bandstand across from Mariner's Landing, between Midway's and Henry's Corner.
Lauren: How about that one, then?
Emma: (Grins) We'll see. They may already have someone playing there.
Micky: I could take care of that. *Lauren elbows him*
Mike: Cool it, Mick. (The group suddenly arrives at a busy square. To their right is a big archway topped with a huge pink globe and a statue of a fisherman, surrounded by a restaurant, several games, and a big arcade. More water gun games and another, slightly smaller arcade are on their left. Beyond the games and Mariner's Landing is several candy stores and two diners, "The Hot Spot" on the right, near Mariner's, and Henry's Corner on the left.)
Emma: (Takes a deep breath) Ahh. Welcome to Mariner's Landing and Midway's Splash Zone, boys and girls.
Micky: *Staring* The arcades...are calling me...
Mike: Oh no... (runs after Micky as Davy sits down with another girl, this one an American girl with a New York twang barking for a ball-throwing game)
Lauren: Here we go again. *Follows Micky and Mike*
Emma: (Sighs) Micky, come back! I know a better arcade! (She and Peter follow Mike)
Micky: Just one game! *Continues on as Emma and Lauren catch up*
Emma: (Leads Micky to a Ms. Pac Man machine) Why don't you play something nice and safe, like Ms. Pac Man?
Mike: (Scratches his head as he and Peter catch up) What the heck is that?
Micky: What happened to Mr. Pac Man? *Drops a quarter in*
Emma: The Ms is better.
Lauren: *Snickers* He got too big and had to retire.
(Emma nearly falls over laughing.)
Peter: (Shrugs) Must be a girl joke.
Emma: (Shakes her head) No, an 80s joke. You had to be there. (Goes back to laughing)
Lauren: That and I was thinking of Bessie Kowalski.
(Emma laughs so hard, she's crying.)
Mike: (Watches the screen) Doesn't seem tough...
Peter: (Chuckles) I hope she didn't eat him, like the yellow lady is doing to the ghosts!
Micky: *Grumbles* I'm trying to concentrate, people! *Jerks the joystick around like mad*
(The four watch Micky play. He gets somewhat far before he's hit by a red ghost coming around a corner.)
Peter: Awww, you missed the cherries!
Micky: What? Where the heck did he come from? *Pops another quarter in the machine.*
Emma: There's secret passages on either side of the screen.
Micky: *Grumbles again* I'll give you ghosts secret passages...
Lauren: A little serious about his video games, don't you think? *smirks*
(Davy comes over arm-in-arm with the New York girl, a tall, curvaceous brunette with large brown eyes and a wide, toothpaste smile wearing a blue-and-white Morey's Pier uniform)
Mike: If this is what he's like with ghosts and yellow pie ladies, I don't want to see what he's like with anything else.
Peter: (Scratches his head) How can a pie eat a ghost?
Lauren: It's a long story, Peter. *Chuckles*
Micky: Shhhh!!
Emma: (To Lauren) Shame my folks don't have Boomerang. I'd show him the cartoon.
Lauren: It'd be an excellent teaching utensil. *Grins*
Davy: (Raises his eyebrows) What's so enthralling it has Micky in total silence?
Girl: Hey, he's pretty good!
*Micky is still jerking the joystick around. He's starting to sweat.*
Mike: (As Micky gets to the first screen where Mr. and Mrs. Pac Man meet and fall in love) Oh, that must be Mr. Pac Man. He ain't wearin' a bow.
Lauren: *Laughs* Nice assumption, Captain Obvious!
Peter: (Sighs at the big heart over the two yellow pies) Oh, that's sweet!
Micky: Yeah, yeah, c'mon. I got ghosts to beat!
Emma: (Groans) Why don't the rest of us go out onto Mariner's Landing? He could be here all day!
Lauren: I'm gonna stay and watch. This is pretty entertaining.
Peter: (Shakes his head) I want to ride the rides!
*Micky mutters something.*
Lauren: Rides!! *Smacks her forehead; looks torn between staying and heading for the rides.*
Davy: (Winds his arms around the girl) Mary Louise and I are going to Jumbo's to get aquainted.
Mary Louise: (Grins, chucking Davy's chin) Yeah, REALLY aquainted! (Giggles) You're cute, shorty! I like your accent!
Davy: (As he and Mary Louise wander over to the other side of the pier) And I like yours, luv!
*Micky cries out as Lauren nudges him enough for the Ms. to get caught by a ghost.*
Peter: Oh! Poor Ms. Pac Man!
Micky: *Points at Lauren* You did that on purpose!
Lauren: I did. What're you gonna do about it? *Amirks*
Mike: If she hadn't done that, you would have never left.
Micky: *still pointing at Lauren* You'll see. *grumps*
Peter: And you would have used all your quarters!
Emma: (Shakes her head) Come on, Mickster! It's a beautiful day! Why don't we all go and enjoy it?
Peter: (Leans over and finds something) Hey, Mike, this fell out of Mary Louise's purse.
*Lauren drags Micky along, away from the game.*
Mike: (Shrugs and tucks it in his jacket) We'll look at it later, Peter.
Emma: (Points at a beautiful carousel with two stories. The first story has spinning cups and rocking, booth-like seats in addition to horses. The second story has horses and benches.) Ooooh, the Double-Decker Merry-Go-Round! One of my favorite rides, and it's only three tickets! (Pulls Mike along)
Micky: *Pouting* I need something more exciting.
Mike: Awww, Emma, that's kiddie stuff...
Emma: (Grins wickedly) Who says? Didn't you ever see "Mary Poppins?"
Peter: (Proudly) I saw it four times in the theater!
Mike: Yeah, and you cried the first time when Mary Poppins left Bert in the end!
Peter: But it was so sad! She obviously liked him!
Emma: (Gets in line and pulls a grumbling Mike with her) You guys up for a romp?
Micky: *Still pouting* Okay.
*Lauren shakes her head, rolling her eyes to the sky.*
(Everyone gives a bored-looking teenaged girl their tickets and climbs on. Mike gets on a proud black charger with a dark blue saddle and bridle. Emma's horse is soft butter-yellow, with a red saddle trimmed with pink roses.)
Peter: (Goes to the very top and climbs on a chocolate-brown horse with a simple black saddle) Wow! There's mirrors and lots of gears up here!
Mike: Hey, where's Mick and Lauren?
Emma: Probably kissing in one of the benches.
*Lauren waves from a bench. Micky's sitting beside her, arms crossed.*
Emma: (Sighs as the merry-go-round starts, playing ordinary organ music)
Peter: (From above) YAHOOOO!!!!
Mike: (Crosses his arms) Ok, when does the romp start?
*Lauren nudges Micky. He shakes his head and says something.*
Emma: How about now? (Leans over to an animated panel in the wall that wasn't there before) Oh, driver!
Driver: (A plumpish man with a silvery walrus mustache and a balding head pops out) Right you are, Miss Redmer!
Emma: (Grins and yells for Peter's benefit) Ok, every think "carousel come to life!"
Mike: (The scene dissolves from live-action to animation, except for them and the horses and the bench. They're all now dressed in Victorian-style clothing) Oh, maaaaaannnnn....
*Lauren nudges Micky again, pointing towards the others. Micky finally looks. His eyes widen.*
Emma: (Grins under her rose-laden, wide-brimmed lace hat) And this isn't even the best part! (Nods at the carousel conductor) Driver, you know what to do!
Peter: (From above) Wow! This is so groovy! I've always wanted to be in a cartoon!
Micky: What the...
Driver: Right away, Miss Redmer!
(Suddenly, to the tune of "I'm a Believer," the horses and the bench gallop off the carousel and down a suddenly Victorian-style boardwalk - the animated people in Victorian gowns and suits wave, the band on the stand plays ragtime music, and Davy and Mary Louise are seen ogling each other in Victorian-style bathing suits, Mary Louise coyly hiding under a parasol.)
Emma: (Sighs, singing along) Then I saw his face, now I'm a believer...
Mike: I see it, and I STILL don't believe it!
Micky: This is not happening.
Peter: (Waves to a mother in a white lace dress walking with a little boy and an older girl with a large stomach indicating her obvious pregnancy as the romp ends) This is so much fun! (Charges ahead of Mike's horse) My horse is the fastest!
Mike: Hey! (Pulls ahead of Peter) Your old mare can't beat my stallion, Pete!
Emma: (Makes her face) Oh, please, you two. This is NOT a race course!
Mike: (As they turn back around to what now says the Marine Pier, there's the sound of a gun going off and other horses joining them) Um, Em, it would seem that you're wrong.
Emma: (Sighs and pulls ahead into the pack) Follow me, please.
Mike: (Shakes the reins) Come on, boy! You're not gonna let some girl in a prissy hat beat 'ya!
Micky: *Calls out; he and Lauren are now on horseback* No fair! I'm not used to riding when I'm not barefoot!
Peter: (As he pulls ahead of Micky) Mick, the last time you rode barefoot, your feet were so sore, you could barely walk!
Micky: Yeah, but I could ride better! *Watches as Lauren passes him, waving* Geez...
Emma: (She's still ahead of Mike, but barely) I heard the prissy hat comment, Michael Nesmith! Just for that...(flicks her reins and flies ahead) I think I will win this!
(The horses, Emma and Mike almost neck-and-neck in front, finally make it through a now-brick-and-wood carved arch with a huge sign saying "Marine Pier," followed by Peter, Lauren, and Micky. Mary Louise and Davy cheer them as they ride right back onto the carousel and it begins to slow down. As it slows down, the fantasy slowly fades away until everyone is back in live-action and their own clothes, and we are on Mariner's Landing surrounded by rides again.)
Teenage Girl: (Comes around to help everyone off) Ok, everyone, ride's over. (Goes upstairs to help Peter)
Mike: (Runs his fingers through his hair and sunglasses) Wow, Em! That was...somethin' else.
Peter: (Charges down the stairs and jumps off the ride) That was fun!
Emma: Yeah! See, I told you a merry-go-round could be exciting!
Micky: Exciting? Man, we weren't even on it!
Emma: But we were on the horses.
Mike: (Rolls his eyes) Why doesn't Micky choose the next ride? Something in live-action would be nice.
Lauren: He's just sore he lost. *smirks*
Emma: Yeah. I won. (Grins)
Mike: You did not!
Emma: I won by a prissy hat. (Smirks)
Micky: I want a coaster!
Mike: Damn you, girl...
Emma: Mike...
Peter: Aw, come on, guys, it was a fantasy! Don't fight!
Lauren: Yeah, you two were doing so well!
Emma: (Nods) Pete's right. (To Micky) If you really want something exciting, Mickster, I know the perfect ride. (Leads them to the center of Mariner's Landing...which is overlooked by a huge, looping steel roller coaster painted in shades of turquoise and soft yellow. The five watch as the cars go around several loops, then up a steep incline...before going back in the opposite direction.)
Micky: *Whoops with joy* Yeah!!!!
Emma: (Smirks) The Sea Serpent. The only roller coaster on the boardwalk my mother refuses to ride. (Grins) It goes backwards and is REAAAAALLLY jerky.
Peter: (Blanches) Backwards? I'm out!
Emma: (Makes a face) Me, too. I've always hated the Sea Serpent. I get sick looking at that thing!
Micky: *Chants* Backwards! Backwards!
Lauren: What the heck, I'm game!
Mike: I'll sit this one out. You two are the only ones crazy enough to chance this!
*Micky grabs Lauren's hand and runs toward the line.*
Peter: (Frowns) Hey, who's that? (Points to several shadowy figures lingering around the duck games)
Mike: (Looks up - the figures are gone, and the duck game is now occupied by a couple of kids and their annoyed dad) Aw, just a bunch of kids, Peter.
Peter: But I thought I saw a bunch of men in suits! (Frowns) And one looked familiar...
Emma: (Frowns) Peter, is your stomach still upset from The Great White?
Peter: (Shakes his head violently) No, Emma. I really did see men in suits!
Emma: Peter, people don't wear suits on the boardwalk unless they're going to something special at the Convention Center.
Mike: (Looks up as screaming is clearly heard) I wonder how Mick and Lauren are making out?
Emma: (The three sit on a bench) The Sea Serpant is a true test of courage for the roller-coaster lover. There are dedicated fans like my mom who won't touch the thing!
Peter: (Watches the cars go up the steep incline, then backwards toward the platform and winces) I'm glad I didn't go on that! I couldn't handle The Great White going frontwards, much less a roller coaster that goes the other way!
Mike: (Frowns) Wonder what happened to Davy?
Emma: (Grins) He and Mary Louise are probably making love under the boardwalk by now.
Peter: Couldn't they do it on the boardwalk? (As the sound of brakes and sighs of relief are heard) Guys, I really did see men in suits, and they were pointing at us...
Mike: (Gets off the bench and nods at the platform) I think the ride's over.
Emma: (Goes with the others to the 'exit' sign) I hope they're alright. The Sea Serpant really unnerves some people.
Lauren: *Runs over to the group, arms raised* That was so awesome!
Emma: (Grins) You liked it? Where's Micky? Is he still alive?
Peter: (Points) Here he comes!
*Micky wanders along at a slower pace*
Mike: (Frowns) You ok, Mick? You look a little green.
Lauren: Let's just say he couldn't bear to look. *Snickers*
Peter: (Squints) He looks like you when we were on that pirate ship, Mike!
*Micky shakes his head and sits on the nearest bench.*
Emma: Seems the Sea Serpent has claimed another victim.
Mike: (Sighs) I'll get the lemonade. (Walks off to the nearest concession stand)
Lauren: I'm just glad it wasn't me this time. Like I said, it comes and goes. *Grins*
Peter: (Puts his arm around Micky) Just put your head between your knees and breathe deeply, Micky. It worked for me!
*Micky does as Peter suggests.*
(Mike comes with the lemonade as Davy walks over with Mary Louise, both of them smirking.)
Lauren: *Frowns and sits next to Micky, rubbing his back* I'm sorry you got sick, Micky.
Mike: (Grumbling) Man, two fifty for lemonade! This place is a highway robbery!
Peter: Robbers? (Looks around) Where?
Lauren: *Continues* I don't mean to sound like I'm gloating.
*Micky swats at her knee. It's all he can manage at the moment.*
Davy: What happened to Micky? He looks like he ate Peter's Cream of Root Beer soup!
Mary Louise: (Wrinkles her nose) Cream of root beer?
Emma: The Sea Serpent happened to Micky.
Mary Louise: (Shrugs) Yeah, it hits some people like that.
Lauren: And I'm more prone to getting sick than he is.
Mike: (Hands Micky the cup) Hope this helps.
*Micky takes a long drink.*
Lauren: *Rubs his back some more* Come on, Mick, you can beat it. Peter did!
Mary Louise: (Rubs her hands over Davy's chest, giggling) Why don't I take all of you on the rides for free? This is my lunch break, and I'm not due back for a while.
Peter: (Brightens, but then looks at Micky) Ok, but no more roller coasters!
Micky: *Looks up to glare at Lauren* Don't rub it in. *Pauses* Thank you, Pete. *groans*
Davy: (Starts to Micky) He looks pretty bad...
*Micky waves a hand at him and leans forward again.*
Lauren: And he's being Mr. Tough Guy to boot.
Mary Louise: (Pulls Davy back and starts playing with his hair) I know a place where we can get to know one another better, cutie. We all can.
Mike: And this would be...
Emma: Mick, you can admit you're sick. It won't kill you. (Wicked grin) Though a few more rides on the Sea Serpent might!
*Micky looks up to glare at Emma, makes a face, then leans forward again. Lauren attempts to suppress a laugh*
Mary Louise: No, nothing like that! I was thinking something a bit safer, more romantic. (Grins at Davy) How about the Giant Ferris Wheel?
Emma: (Jumps up) Now you're talking! That's my favorite ride on the whole boardwalk!
Lauren: Hey, yeah!
Davy: (Sighs into Mary Louise's huge, consuming brown eyes) Anything you say, luv.
Mike: (Puts his hand on Micky's shoulder as the others start towards the huge steel-and-iron circle towards the end of the area with the rides) You up for another ride, Mick?
Micky: *Takes a deep breath and sits up* Yeah, I think I can handle that.
Peter: (Waves towards them - he's already half-way there) Come on!
Lauren: *Wraps an arm around his waist after he stands* Come on, Tough Guy.
*Micky grumbles something that makes Lauren stick her tongue out at him.*
(The others stand before the gigantic circle. Orange-and-blue cars are suspended from the steel-and-metal arms, and spokes and center are covered with orange, green, and yellow lights.)
Mike: (Looks up) Damn, that thing is BIG!!!
Lauren: *gawks* Wow!
Emma: (Also looks up) It can be seen for miles.
Peter: I think I'll get a nosebleed looking at it!
Micky: *Looking slightly nervous* Big... yeah...
Mary Louise: (As she and Davy walk arm-and-arm to a raised platform) Don't worry, Micky! It don't go fast!
Micky: *muttering* That isn't what's making me nervous.
Lauren: Oh, you'll be fine, Mick!
(Mary Louise talks to a slender black girl with coffee-colored skin and the same blue Morey's uniform. She lets them pass with no fuss.)
Peter: Oh Micky, you're afraid of heights!
Mike: Maybe he should skip this one, too...
Micky: *Gulps, then shakes his head* No! I can do this! *Lauren feels his grip on her hand tighten.*
(Emma, Mike, and Peter go into the next gondola, an orange one. Emma tries to offer the requisite five tickets for each person, but their waved away. Micky and Lauren get into the next gondola, a dark blue.)
Emma: (Leans back and sighs) This is wonderful. Beautiful breeze, beautiful view, (leans against Mike) beautiful men.
Mike: (Puts his arm around Emma) Aww, Em...
*Micky has a death grip on the bar to his right, and on Lauren's hand.*
Lauren: Mick, I'm losing feeling in my hand...
Peter: (Yells as the gondolas begin to climb) Wow, look at that view! You can see everything from here!
Micky: *Looks over the side, his eyes widen* Why did I agree to this? *Closes his eyes*
Mike: (Looks toward his right, where there's a splendid view of the huge Wildwood beaches, the piers, and the wide, blue Atlantic Ocean) It really is gorgeous up here. The water goes on for miles.
Lauren: *Rolls her eyes* Oh, come on! Micky, you're acting like a big baby!
Micky: So?! *Leans on Lauren's shoulder*
Lauren: *Grins* But that's okay...
Emma: (Points over Peter's shoulder as the gondolas slowly rise to the top and stop) Peter, if you turn around, you'll be able to see part of Cape May, my home town.
Peter: (Gets on his knees on the bench) I will? Groovy!
Mike: (Holds the bars on the sides as the gondola gently rocks) Pete, be careful! You're supposed to be sittin' down in this thing!
Emma: (Nods at Davy and Mary Louise's gondola under them - only the top is visible, but the gondola is doing a fair bit of swinging) I wonder what's going on down there? They sure aren't actin' like they're sittin' down!
Mike: (Grins at Emma's accent lapse) Pretty soon, darlin', I'll have you talkin' like a true Texan woman.
Emma: (Sticks her tongue out at him) Only if you pick up a credible Jersey accent.
*Micky's head is still resting on Lauren's shoulder. Her head is now resting on his, her arm around his shoulders.*
(There's the sound of a scuffle, squeaking, and someone letting out an annoyed squawk.)
Mike: (Smirks, jerking his thumb at Davy and Mary Louise's gondola) Always knew he wasn't as good as he said he was.
Emma: (Sighs) Oh, dear, I hope Mary Louise didn't damage him too badly. We'll need him for the Wild West story.
Peter: (Looks at the gondola above them) I hope Micky and Lauren are ok. Micky really doesn't like heights.
Mike: (Puts his arm around Emma again, who leans into his shoulder) Aw, Pete, don't worry about those two. Lauren knows how to handle Micky by now.
Peter: (Stops looking at Cape May on the distant horizon as the wheel comes to a screeching halt. He goes to the other side and looks over...and turns pale) Um, Mike...
Mike: (Holds Emma, who leans against him, sighing contentedly) Not now, Pete.
Peter: Michael...
Emma: (Lazily opens one eye) What is it, Peter?
Peter: The guys in the suits are back! They're talking to the girl who let us in! And I think they have guns!
Mike: (Peers over the side and shakes his head) You're imaginin' things, Pete. That's just their belts.
Emma: (Sighs) You know, this ride should have ended by now. (Breaks from Mike's embrace and looks over the side) What's going on?
Lauren: *Leans over the side, calls to the others* What's happening?
Mike: (Calls back) We're not sure!
Emma: (Calls to Mary Louise and Davy's gondola) Hey, Mary Louise, Davy, are you guys ok?
Peter: (Wails) What's going on?
Lauren: *Leans back inside a moment, then leans out again* Can you see anything down there?
(The only response from Mary Louise and Davy's gondola is a heavy groan.)
Lauren: *Groans* I don't even want to know.
Emma: (As the ride jerks back to life, faster this time) Shit! Those guys are after something!
Peter: (Gulps) Probably us!
Lauren: *leans back in* Don't say that, Pete!
Mike: Wait...(reaches into his jacket and comes out with what Peter gave him at the Mariner's Landing Arcade - a large yellow envelope) Peter, what was this?
Peter: (Shrugs) I don't know. Mary Louise lost it. I meant to give it back to her, but she walked off with Davy before I could.
Mike: (Opens it) Oh, mannnnnn....
Emma: Mike, what is it?
Mike: (Frowns and pulls it away as the gondolas come to a stop) You won't like it.
Lauren: *Calls out* Not again! *Leans over* Now what?!
Emma: Mike, let me see! (As the girl opens the door for an annoyed, disheveled Mary Louise and a somewhat mussed and battered Davy) WHAT? DEMOLISH HALF OF PACIFIC AVENUE...MOST OF THE AREA AROUND THE BOARDWALK....MY WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD...THE BEACHWOOD....
Mike: (Clamps his hand over his ears and grabs the papers back) Em, half the boardwalk can hear you, (indicates the men) not to mention those guys!
Lauren: That's not good. *Leans in again*
Emma: (As the girl opens their gondola and steps out, more quietly) Mike, those are plans to destroy most of my neighborhood and half the town from Ocean to Pacific Avenue and build condos and high rises!
Mary Louise: (As the girl opens the last gondola and helps Lauren and a shaky-looking Micky out - to Davy) Why didn't you freakin' say you didn't have the papers on you, Davy?
Davy: (Touches his split lip) You didn't have to get rough with me to tell me that!
*Lauren and Micky stop, surprised.*
Mike: What the hell did you do? (He starts at Mary Louise, but one of the men grabs his arms.)
Peter: Yipes! (Ducks behind Emma)
(A very familiar man in a simple, light gray suit starts over to the group. Peter gasps.)
Peter: (Shivering) Zero! (Whispers, to Emma) You promised!
Emma: (Shakes her head) Not Zero, Peter. Zeckenbush.
Lauren: *Mutters* Same difference.
Zeckenbush: (In his smooth southern accent) Ahh, my reputation preceeds me, it seems.
Mike: (Struggling) Zeckenbush, Mayor Motley put you in jail!
Emma: (Cletching her fists) I can't believe you! You're going to ruin half a town, put me and the owner of the Beachwood and all my neighbors out of our homes...
Zeckenbush: (interrupts her) ...in the name of progress, young lady. (Smirks at Mike) I have friends in very high places, Nesmith. They posted my bail and found me a new town to play with, something small and dirty, but fresh...and easily controlled.
Emma: All these condos (sweeps her arm to indicate the construction going on beyond the boardwalk) are your doing?
Lauren: *Under her breath* I don't believe what I'm hearing.
*Micky shakes his head.*
Zeckenbush: (Laughs) No, not all of them, my young friend. Most of them are local construction companies out to lure Manhattan millionares and rowdy, drunken college children with their pasteboard candy cottages.
Micky: *Sucks in a deep breath* Don't mention food.
Mike: But not all of them.
Zeckenbush: (Smiles) Various friends of mine have had fingers in small slices of the pie ever since this town started to attempt to better its image. The downtown is in a sorry state. It's nothing but night clubs, downtrodden bars, aging restaurants, and forgotten shops now used as storage. It's ripe for reconstruction.
Emma: (Glares) The LaPiazza and the Nile...was that your doing? The Nile was historic, you creten! (Clenches her fists so hard, they turn white)
Zeckenbush: In the name of progress, young lady. (Lays a hand on Emma's shoulder. Mike lunges for him, but is held back.) Don't you want a town you can be proud of, instead of a collection of half-rotted buildings owned by Florida retirees who don't care about them, with Hispanic families and drug dealers and various society leftovers being the only people who bother with them year-round?
*Micky whimpers. Lauren now has an angry look on her face.*
Emma: (Looks up at him and says slowly) Wildwood isn't perfect. Yeah, we have our problems, but I like it this way. I don't want it to end up all condos and no character.
Peter: (Sobs) Emma, do something! (Nods at the men) They could use those guns!
Mary Louise: Davy, I... (tries to reach for him, but he angrily steps away and goes toward Emma)
Emma: You bet I'll do something! (Clenches her fist again, leans back, and belts Zeckenbush square in the chin. She reels back, holding her hand, as Zeckenbush hits the ground and his goons let Mike go.)
Mike: (To Emma, as Peter and Davy take off across the pier) Em, are you ok?
Lauren: Whoa! Nice shot!
Emma: (Shakes her hand) Other than my knuckle is never going to feel the same way again, yeah, I'm fine.
Mike: (As two more men start after them) I think Peter and Davy have the right idea. Run! (Grabs Emma and pulls her down the pier after the other two boys)
Lauren: *Struggles to help Micky* GUYS!
Mike: Oh, shit, Micky ain't up for this. (Grabs Micky and flings him over his shoulder, then takes off after the girls) Hold on, Mick. We'll find you a quiet bench somewhere.
*Micky groans in response.*
(They all take off down the pier like a shot, the men following behind, Zeckenbush bellowing orders.)
Emma: I have an idea. (takes Lauren and nods at a huge, barrel-shaped cooler filled with ice and sodas sitting next to the Curly's Fries concession stand) Lauren, help me turn the cooler over! It'll distract them, not to mention make the boardwalk slippery!
Lauren: You got it!
(The girls do just that, overturning the cooler just as the men get to the end of the pier. The men slip and slide on the ice and the broken soda bottles, and people try to help them or clean up or go after free soda bottles.)
Davy: (As he runs into the crowd) Where do we go now?
Emma: (Leads the group around a corner between a large pier with a closed water park and a smaller pier with a go-kart track and several stores, behind a small bandstand where a hard rock group plays something harsh and unintelligble. They hold their ears and mingle with the large crowd of college students and teens around the bandstand until the men pass.)
Peter: (Peeks out of the crowd) I think they missed us, guys!
Mike: Thank goodness. (Puts Micky down on a bench on the end of the pier next to a trampoline ride in a huge, sandy pit surrounded by boardwalk) You ok, Mick? You're kinda pale.
Micky: *Shakes his head* Man, I need to lie down. *Lays on the bench*
Emma: (Looks over her shoulder at a candy store with a large, barrel-shaped sign over it that says "James's Fine Candy and Novelties") Everyone up for another candy store? It would be a great place to hide. I have a friend who works there. She's a frequent Acme customer and the mother of one of my co-workers. (Grins) We don't have to buy anything, and there are other things besides candy in there.
Lauren: *Glances at Micky* I don't think he's gonna move.
(The group is joined by a kindly-looking, middle-aged woman with a big smile and blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. She wears a soft blue uniform that says "James's Fine Candy" on the front.)
Woman: (Grins) Hi, Em! Didn't expect you see you out here, and all out of breath, too! I'm on my break. I thought I'd say hi (holds out two bags of taffy and hard candies) and give you this. I was going to wait to give you it at the Acme, but since you're here...
Emma: (Smiles and hugs the woman) Hi, Mrs. O'Neal! (Takes the candies) Thanks!
Mrs. O'Neal: (Frowns at the boys) You know, your guy friends sure look familiar from somewheres. (Grins) They're cute, too. So (grin widens) any of them yours?
*Lauren chuckles.*
Emma: (Jerks her thumb at Mike, who's still sitting with Micky on the bench) The tall one. The curly-haired guy who looks sick is my friend Lauren's here.
*Lauren waves, smiling half-heartedly.*
Mrs. O'Neal: (Frowns) Is he ok? He looks a little shaky.
Peter: We were being chased by...
Lauren: *At the same time as Peter* He got sick on one of the rides...
Davy: (Puts his hand over Peter's mouth) He doesn't handle heights well, and he didn't handle the Sea Serpent too well, either, Mrs. O'Neal. (Winks at her and turns on the Jones charm)
Lauren: *Warningly* Davy...
Mrs. O'Neal: (Melts) Oh, that explains everything. Most people don't handle the Sea Serpent well. I don't know how my sons can ride it. I get sick looking at the darn thing.
Mike: Mrs. O'Neal, is there a place on the Boardwalk where we can be alone and it's nice and quiet and dark?
Lauren: With something to lie down on. *Glances at Micky*
Mrs. O'Neal: On the boardwalk? There ain't much to choose from. (Thinks) The back of any diner, I guess. Alfredo's down a bit sells pizza slices for 99 cents, if you're hungry.
*Micky whimpers again.*
Emma: (Sighs) We'll just get drinks there. (Smiles) Why don't you join us, Mrs. O'Neal?
Davy: (Grins) Yeah, there's plenty of room!
Mrs. O'Neal: (Smiles but shakes her head) You're all awfully sweet, but I already promised a girlfriend of mine I'd meet her at the Hot Spot for lunch. (Waves) Thanks anyway! Emma, I'll see you at the Acme! And enjoy the candy!
Emma: (As she walks off) You're welcome! (To Lauren) Is he ok to stand, Lauren?
Peter: Yeah, those creeps could come back any minute now!
Lauren: *Checks on Micky* If someone's willing to help me get him up, we should be okay.
Mike: (Drapes Micky's left arm over his shoulder; Lauren takes his right) Come on, Mick. It might help you to eat something.
Micky: *Whining* Do I have to?
Peter: (Cringes at the loud hard rock music) And when he's up to it, maybe we can play some music I can hear all the words for! These guys scream all the time!
Lauren: *Also cringes* Yeah, some good music would be a pleasant change. *Smirks*
Davy: (Makes a face as he sees a girl who looks a bit like Mary Louise walk by) How did I let that bird fool me?
Peter: (Shrugs) You liked her.
Emma: (As Mike and Lauren haul poor Micky down the boardwalk and the others follow) Davy, she thought you had the plans. She's probably in Zeckenbush's pay. (Makes a face) Her second job, like Abigail's at the Super Fresh.
Lauren: So, could you possibly curtail the girl chasing, Dave?
Mike: (As they pass several dark-looking novelty shops and another large candy store, Douglass Fudge) What happened to those plans, anyway?
Emma: I still have them. (Pulls them out of her fringed bag) I stuck them in here when we were on the Giant Ferris Wheel. (Returns them to the bag) And they will stay here until someone tells me otherwise.